President of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Dave Cameron during his feature address at the 2017 Guyana Cricket Board annual awards ceremony, hailed Guyana for its recent contribution to West Indies Cricket; while calling for more ambassadorship from its players.
Cameron made his voice heard during the gala held on Wednesday evening at the Umana Yana where he urged the cricketers in attendance while delivering his speech, to remember that they are all ambassadors for the West Indies.
“I want you to understand that as players, you are ambassadors for the region, and so when you go out to play I want you to understand that you represent us as ambassadors for this wonderful region we are all a part of”, said the CWI President.
CWI President Dave Cameron during the 2017 GCB award ceremony
He continued, “You the cricketers do not represent Guyana alone, but just remember you represent the people of the West Indies and as a Guyanese you are a West India, if you are a Jamaican you are a West Indian’.
Veteran Guyana batsman and ex-West Indies captain Shiv Chanderpaul was deemed as invaluable by Cameron who said the 43 year-old has been one of the main reasons behind Guyana’s success, crediting the left-hander’s brilliant stint in England as more reasons to celebrate his presence in the side.
Cameron hailed the state of Guyana cricket for being in safe hands with GCB Secretary and West Indies Director Anand Sanasie who he credited for taking Guyana’s cricket to the next level. He believed with Guyana producing a huge number of West Indies ‘A’ and West Indies senior players every season, it is safe to say Guyana has been playing their role in the redevelopment of West Indies cricket.
The CWI Head admitted the West Indies have work cut out if they want to regain the status they once held as world champions in Test cricket. Formerly known as the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), CWI according to Cameron is in a good financial position compared to the past.
Cameron added that the accountability has made the board even more effective as they seek to work with players in order to keep Windies cricket in the right place. “Our trust in our new strategic plan going forward is having our cricketers lead us, and if you lead us then we will follow and support”.
In closing, Cameron said the task to take cricket back to the pinnacle of excellence will be challenging but believed that once the determination and drive was channeled by the various entities, West Indies cricket can surpass that of old.
